October is Careers in Construction Month

Words: Jennifer WilkersonNCCER and its Build Your Future (BYF) initiative are once again declaring October as Careers in Construction Month. Throughout the month, industry and education partner locally to host events that introduce students to rewarding construction careers.

So far, 15 states and the District of Columbia have filed proclamations declaring October 2016 as Careers in Construction Month. Any state resident can file a proclamation for his or her governor to sign. To simplify the process, BYF.org provides each state's guidelines and a sample proclamation. Once filed, it can take anywhere from two weeks to over two months for the governor to sign. To encourage every state to participate, BYF is giving away a $50 Visa gift card to each of the first five states that submits a photo of the official proclamation signed by the governor.

BYF also offers a number of online resources to help organizations participate in Careers in Construction Month, including How To: Plan a Career Day guide and Helpful Hints for Career Day Exhibitors. Organizations can even register their events at BYF.org for added promotion.

With shortages of craft professionals across the country, now is the time to promote construction careers in each state. Recognizing October as Careers in Construction Month can generate publicity for the construction industry and help promote career opportunities.

For the latest news and updates on career events visit facebook.com/BYFcampaign and follow twitter.com/buildyourfuture.
Outreach Outlook: Springing into Action – The Season of Growth
March 2026

There is a distinct shift in the air when March arrives. You can feel it on the job sites, and you can certainly feel it in the classrooms. As the winter chill begins to lift and the days are a little longer, the construction industry naturally wakes up f

Chairman's Message: Laying the First Brick - A Fresh Start
March 2026

As we head into a new year, I’m excited and, honestly, grateful to step into the role of Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America. This industry has been good to my family, and I see this role as a chance to give back and help move things

GEN NXT: 2026 Skills Challenge Winners
March 2026

After another successful year of the Skills Challenge, the MCAA had the opportunity to speak with the three 1st Place winners of each skill level. Get to know their journeys, motivations, and the mindsets they have in order to compete in a national compet

2026 World of Concrete Recap
March 2026

The 2026 World of Concrete Convention marked another successful year for masonry. From the world-renowned Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions to the new innovative GEORGE AI class, we gained a lot of ground in pushing this indust